synthatic cannabinoids

Emergency departments across the country have seen a steady rise in synthetic drug related cases, commonly involving what are known as synthetic cannabis. While the name may cause people to think of marijuana, the effects of synthetic cannabinoids are both unpredictable and dangerous. The side effects associated with the use of such compounds, sold under the name “K2” or “Spice” are frightening to say the least. That being said, it begs the question, why would people use substances with side effects which cannot be anticipated?

Synthetic marijuana, unlike traditional cannabis in most states, teeters on the line of legality. Meaning, it is easy to buy and use synthetic drugs because chemists are constantly altering the formula to stay ahead of government bans. What’s more, the chemicals found in synthetic cannabis can’t be detected by most standard drug tests, which is appealing to young people and those working in professions that drug test randomly. When you add that together with how inexpensive synthetic drugs are, it is easy to see why some people would be drawn to those forms of drugs.

SCB vs THC

Synthetic marijuana, and its effect on the human body, is far from understood by scientists. Ironically, researchers developed synthetic cannabinoids (SCB) in order to better understand the effect of the main psychoactive ingredient (THC) found in traditional cannabis on receptors in the brain, Cell Press reports. Researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) point out that while SCBs activate the same brain receptors as THC, SCBs are not only different from marijuana—they are chemically distinct from one another. In a Review published in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, the researchers write of synthetic marijuana:

“SCBs are falsely marketed as safe marijuana substitutes. Instead, SCBs are a highly structural diverse group of compounds, easily synthesized, which produce very dangerous adverse effects occurring by, as of yet, unknown mechanisms. Therefore, available evidence indicates that K2/Spice products are clearly not safe marijuana alternatives.”

Paul L. Prather, a cellular and molecular pharmacologist at UAMS and his colleagues point out that SCBs have been associated with twenty deaths, according to the report. Clinical studies have identified both acute and long-term adverse effects of SCB, such as:

Seizures

Convulsions

Kidney Injury

Cardiotoxicity

Strokes

Anxiety

Psychosis

Synthetic Marijuana Addiction

Those who use synthetic cannabis regularly are at risk of developing a tolerance and dependence on the drugs. Those who attempt to quit can experience withdrawal. If you or a loved one has been abusing synthetic drugs, please contact Synergy Group Services. Synthetic cannabinoids are extremely dangerous, given the fact that you have no idea what kind of side effects to expect. The next time could land you in the hospital, or worse.